The Iowa National Guard announced Sunday that it has been notified of a pending mobilization to West Africa to help fight Ebola outbreak.

The Iowa National Guard announced Sunday that it has been notified of a pending mobilization to West Africa to help fight Ebola outbreak.

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Updated: 10:21 PM CST Nov 16, 2014

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WEBVTT The Iowa National Guard says one unit is getting ready to deploy to West Africa to help combat Ebola! Officials says it's part of a humanitarian effort to stop the spread of the Ebola virus before is becomes a pandemic. Iowa soldiers hugged their loved ones ... Saying goodbye as they prepare to head overseas. This is video from a send off ceremony in 2009...for the 294th Area Support Medical Company... A unit based in Washington Iowa that deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now this weekend the very same unit learned its next mission ... A deployment to West Africa to help fight Ebola. <Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard, "OUR JOB WON'T BE TO TREAT THE LOCAL POPULATION, BUT RATHER TREAT FORCES FROM THE U.S. AND THE COALTION."> Approximately 80 soldiers will leave in the early Spring of 2015. <Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard: "WE BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ON THE GROUND IN WEST AFRICA APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS."> Officials say the Secretary of Defense chose this medical unit from Iowa because of its highly qualified soldiers. <Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard: "THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN MEDIA TRIAGE, TREATED CASUALTIES, TRANSPORTING CASUALTIES. THINGS LIKE THAT IN A THEATER OF OPERATION. SO THEY WILL DO THE EXACT MISSION THEY ARE TRAINED TO DO IN WEST AFRICA."> Col Hapgod says there are taking every step necessary to ensure the safety and health of these Iowa soldiers by giving them extensive training before they leave. <Col. Greg Hapgood: "WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL HAVE EVERY TOOL THEY NEED TO BE A SUCESS."> They're hoping for a successful mission and a safe return just like they experienced in 2010 ... When the 294th walked into their homecoming ceremony and saw their families for the first time in a year. Officials say all soldiers will undergo an observation program overseas to ensure all returning personnel are healthy and have not contracted the Ebola virus.

Iowa soldiers expected to go to West Africa to fight Ebola

The Iowa National Guard announced Sunday that it has been notified of a pending mobilization to West Africa to help fight Ebola outbreak.